Handful of Harmful Amendments to Agriculture Appropriations Bill Easily Defeated or Withdrawn
The U.S. House of Representatives’ Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture Appropriations Bill failed in a late Thursday night vote as both chambers frantically work to find a government funding solution that keeps the federal government’s doors open past this weekend. Debate on amendments to the legislation took place on Tuesday evening and into the early hours of Wednesday morning. Key agriculture groups worked closely together in the days leading up to the votes to urge lawmakers to defeat harmful amendments. One such amendment targeting commodity checkoff programs was defeated in a vote of 49-377.
Several amendments attempting to reduce, or entirely strike funding from international food assistance programs were defeated as well. Although the legislation ultimately failed, reports note that the amendment process highlighted what may be key issues in the forthcoming farm bill debate. Reports praised House Agriculture Committee Chairman, Congressman G.T. Thompson (R-PA), for his successful efforts in defeating harmful amendments, stating, “Call it a dry run, and a very successful one: House Agriculture Chairman Glenn “G.T.” Thompson, (R-PA), got to warm up for the coming farm bill debate this week by working to bury some key amendments to the fiscal 2024 Agriculture spending bill. The amendment votes were largely symbolic, but they nevertheless involved noteworthy issues.”
Despite the victories, an amendment cutting McGovern-Dole food aid was adopted even as other anti-food aid amendments, including cuts to Food for Peace, were rejected. The underlying bill also proposed cuts to U.S. food aid to offset the increases announced by USDA using CCC funding though USDA’s action was prompted by calls from Congress. However, the bill’s failure to pass in the House undermines these amendments that managed to get over the wall in a negotiation with the Senate. Read more here.
USDA Announces Release of $1.75 Billion for Certain Emergency Relief Program Payments, ERP 2022 for Crop Losses Still Yet to Come But Very Flawed Implementation Still Expected Barring Action by Congress
On Wednesday, USDA announced that it would release funds totaling $1.75 billion for at least certain portions of emergency relief program payments for 2020, 2021, and 2022 losses. Our calculations indicate that after Emergency Relief Program (ERP) Phase I ($7.455 billion), ERP Phase II ($1.17 billion), Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) ($750 million), and administrative costs ($100 million), a total of $525 million remains. It is still our position that these funds must be used to address the non-triggering shallow losses from the original Phase I model. USDA has yet to roll out ERP for 2022 crop year losses. Reports still indicate that USDA plans to offer farmers a choice between the failed Phase II approach or the successful Phase I approach but with a “progressive factor” that cuts deepest against producers the greater their loss. We continue to urge lawmakers to step in and address this problem before it is too late. Read USDA’s announcement here.
Senate Agriculture Committee Hosts Hearing on Foreign Ownership of U.S. Farmland, Lawmakers, Experts Testify
The Senate Agriculture Committee convened on Wednesday for a hearing concerning foreign ownership in U.S. agriculture. Several lawmakers, including Senators Mike Rounds (R-SD), James Lankford (R-OK), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Jon Tester (D-MT), appeared before the panel to discuss potential legislative solutions to the issue. View more from the hearing here.
House Financial Services Committee Unanimously Advances Legislation Adding Agriculture Secretary to Key Foreign Investment Committee, Agriculture Groups Applaud Measure
The House Financial Services Committee last week advanced, 42-0, the Agricultural Security Risk Review Act, which would add the Secretary of Agriculture as a permanent member of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S (CFIUS). Former House Agriculture Committee Chairman, Congressman Frank Lucas (R-OK), introduced the bill back in May. The measure now heads to the full House floor for consideration. Congressman Lucas stated, “Protecting America’s agriculture security is a critical part of our national security. With an increasing amount of foreign investment in U.S. agriculture, including the Secretary of Agriculture as a member of CFIUS is long overdue. I know firsthand just how important the security of our agricultural industry is, which is why I applaud my colleagues on the House Financial Services Committee in taking a critical step to make my longstanding priority law.” Read more here.
USDA Announces Approved Practice Standard Additions to EQIP, CSP for FY 2024
USDA on Thursday announced the addition of several approved conservation practice standards for popular conservation programs, including through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). According to a release from USDA, “These in-demand activities are expected to deliver reductions in greenhouse gas emissions or increases in carbon sequestration as well as significant other benefits to natural resources like soil health, water quality, pollinator and wildlife habitat and air quality.” The list of approved conservation practice standards, including the latest additions, may be viewed here.
